SIR — Over the Spring Bank Holiday more than 3,000 Scouts and Guides started to assemble on the Dunster Lawns for a Millennium Jamboree.

The event was hit by a rapid drop in temperature and torrential rain that turned the site into a quagmire.

The combination of these two facts, together with professional advice for the health and safety of the youngsters on site, resulted in the jamboree being cancelled.

Following this reluctant decision, the immediate and unprecedented response from our local community was wonderful. So much help and assistance was given and offered by so many organisations and individuals that I could not name everyone.

So, may I take this opportunity to sincerely thank everyone who gave their time, expertise, equipment and concern so freely and quickly. It was immensely appreciated by everyone concerned.

Martin Harborne,

Scouts District Commissioner.